Pneumatic clutch.



J. C. GARRETT. PNEUMATIC CLUTCH. APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1908.

Patented July 19, 1910.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

NNIE!!! Wmvss JAMES C. GAEREIY'I, 01? JERSEY CI '3 NEW/i SERSEY.

LPNEUMATIG CLUTCH.

,pecificetion of Letters latent. Patented July 19, 1910,,

Iipplicetion filed July e, 1908. Serial No. never.

To all whom may com/em."

Be it lmown that l, ,l pimns C. GrARRETT, a llni'le fl Still-cs, and a resident y, coni'ity of .l idson, State of have invc tor. n new and useful niprm/einen in V in .ic Clutches, oi which the follow )ecilicotion, uc-- cmnponied by d My pr sent nition relates to pneumatic clutches. and for its type of, pneumatic min; clutches shown and described in v n licution for Letters Patent in the .d r-ltules Patent ce, dated Get. 28,

. Serial l lo. 129,13, .lnthe construction. wed in the above ent'tled application oned air was interposed between the in and the driven members upon vwlrch to cushion the impact resulting from lution of the iinpelling member, could be cushioned before direct and unyielding contact would take place between the suid'iinpclliz'igr 211 l driven members, and to relieve the suddenn tie from a. mweineut of the iinpelling member, isone oi the objects of my present invention.

Further objects are to remedy the inherent structural weakness in the pressure resisting ports of pneumatic clutches, to reduce the n ultipl.icit v of component parts to the least possible number, and in lower the cosu of construction to the n'iiijiinium.

in l igure 1 of the cilrmvings, my inven tion shown in its precushioning position, and is drruvn toshow one and a half revolutions of c ioninp; distance, but it is obvious that by IGzlSOll of its structural formation,

the members ii and C, may be increased in coin iection, but owing to the structuraless of this transmission of 1110-. Inertia to full speed-1n so limited ing from the left showing the position of the contacting members, the end of the Wall B of the air inclosing member, the dust shielding or protecting cover, and the power transmitting shaf Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section on the line K Fig. 1, looking from the left showing the diameter of the driving shaft, the inwardly projecting rib connected to the air imprisoning member, the sleeve and spiral rib connected to said sleeve. Fi al is a ve ticel cross section on the line hf 1g. 1 looking from the left showing the entrensniitting shafts, the shoulder against Which the sleeve is ebultted and the in- Wardly projecting); rib separating each circuit or the spiral channel in the air inclosing members. 5 is a. vertical cross section on the line K Fig. 1, looking from the left, showing the enlarged diameter o1 the shaft, the splines inserted therein, the terminal of the air channel, the passage Way for the escape and admission of said air and the surrounding'bend i), Fig. 6 is a differential speed appliance adapted to restore the coactive air inclosing member B and the impinging member C to their precushioning' position es shown 'in Fi 1, after the driving end driven members have been disconnected.

tion I will call the member G the impelling or impinging member, the member B the on" inclosmg member and the loose pulley D the driven member.

Broadly my invention consists of a revolubleshaft having a diametrically enlarged portion With'u cylindrical member having a spiral air incloring channel rotatively engagged and movable axially thereon, and an axially fixed and rotatable member mounted on. less enlarged portion 'of said shaft and having asleeve of equal diameter with said enlarged portion and a spiral rib projecting outwardly therefrom and in operative engagement with said spiral channel and stops to arrest their contraction, acting to cushion rotel resist-since thereto, and rotate them with said shaft.

The shaft A Fig. 1 is shown to be constructed with a diametrically enlarged portion A extending from the shoulder A to the verticalcross section X at which point ther u die-metrical diminution extending to the extremity of the collar A which is suiiiciently greater than the main diameter of the short A. to provide means for sccnrlorged and reduced diameters of the power For convenience in describing my inven g I access ing the said collar A on the shaft withoutencroaching on its main portion. Longitudinally upon the enlarged portion A of the shaft A, channels A are cut and splines 5 A are fastened firmly therein, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5 with the collar A operating as a fastening to maintain them in position, longitudinally, in the separating direction. The member B shown to be mounted on the enlarged portion A of. the shaft is circular in cross sectionsias shown in Figs.

4 and and is bored out longitudinally through the centerv of a diameter that will neatly tit and move axially on said enlarged l5 portion A of the shaft 'A, and from the concaved surface of this bore, grooves B Fig.

I 5 are cut outwz rdly and longitudinally therein of a size to register with and move freely in said splines A within fixed limits, it) in the longitudinal direction, on said shaft A. At the end .of the enlarged portion A of the shaft A, the diameter of said enlarged portion is decreased forming a shoulder A, upon which a thread A" is cut, and a collar A having a corresponding thread is screwed thereon, contacting with the shoulder A and the end of the member B, thus limiting the longitudinal movement of said member B, in't-he separating direction. Then from the concaved surface of this bore, contacting with the enlarged ortion A of the shaft A, a spiral channel B is cut outwardly through its entire length, of such dimensions in width and depth in cross sections as may be required to contain a suflicient volume of air, taken in connection with the spiral length of the said channel B, to overcome the inertia of the driven member D, onth'econn 'pressibility and decreasing volume of said air, when it is connected to the cushionin and impelling mechanism, before direct an unyielding contact has taken place between the impellin and driven members. Between each circuit of the spiral channel B a spiral wall 13 is left during the process of cu'ttim out the spiral channel. This wall is of sufficient structural strength to resist the pressure resulting from connecting the k member D with the cushioningand impelling members B and C.

As before stated the spiral channel B is out out advancing longitudinally through the entire length of the member B and at a point terminating with the number of spiral cushioning revolutions for which the device is constructed, the end B" of the filling B" is located. This filling B is made to fit in the channel Bneatly and is rigidly I secured therein with a smooth surface contacting with the enlarged portion A of the shaft A thus forming an end to the spiral air inclosing channel B.

In close proximity to the end B of the filling B an air passage B is borcdlongi tudinally leading from the end of the air infreely therein.

closing channel B to the end of the member B, as shown in Fig. 1. This air passage is atersected by a threaded hole B leading di- -metrically from the convex surface of the member B. Into this hole B a threaded 7O bolt B is inserted and is provided with means by which it may be screwed in one direction and projected into the air passage B" or reversed as the case may require, acting to regulate the ingress and egress of air .to and from the air inclosing chaunel B' andito 'alb' just its resistance to the impact trausniitteigl from the member D when it is connected to the member G.

The opposite end of the member B is pro- 6 vided with an outwardly turned tlange B which is interlocked with an inwardly turned flange F connected to the cylindrical member F thus limiting the longitudinal movement of the members B and (I in the separating direction. As shown in Fig. 2 portions of the periphery of this outwardly turned flange B" are cutaway, the reason for which will be hereinafter explained. The intact portions of said periphery are adapted to contact, revolve and move longitudinally within the conca-ved surface of said cylindrical member F.

On the vertical end of the member B con tacting members B are connected thereto,

.one only of which is shown, the diametric ally opposite member being connected to the rem'oved portion of the member B. As shown in Fig. 2, the faces of these eolltntitll lg mom bors 15*are on a line with the diameter of the said member B, and from the projiected end of said contacting members B their outlines recede to the fave of the outwardly turned flange B", at an angle in. line with the pitch of the rib G as shown on cross section line X.

The member 0 is composed of the disk C the sleeve 50, the rib Cfl the contacting member C and the clutch members 0" andis constructed out of one piece. I'lhe sleeve U is bored out longitudinally through its center at a diameter adapted to lit and rotate on the decreased diameter of the shaft A as shown by dotted lines A in Fig. l and by cross section Figs. 2, 3 and a. Grooves C" are cut spirally and inwardly from the convex surface of the member C, of a dimension to fit and register with the spiral wall B connected to the member B and of even depth with the convex surface of the enlarged portion A; of the shaft A, and in such 9 dimensions that the rib C thus formed will fill all the space in the channel B andmovc The end of the sleeve C is buttressed against the shoulder A Fig. 4, formed by the reduction A Fig. 1 of the enlarged portion A of the shaft A, on the line X acting to maintain the member (1, in a fixed position axially during the cushioning movement of the members B and C when the member D is connected to the member C.

eea ae The terminal of the rib C connected to the disk C is encroached upon the side of said disk Q in line With the pitch of the said rib, thus forming two flat contacting surfaces (3 in diametrically opposite positions on the side of said disk C, one of which in plane view and the other of which is in licatc by dotted lines as shown in Fig. .l. These two contacting surfaces operate to contact simul' taneously with the opposing contacting surfaces B connected to the member B when the member I) is connected to the member U.

A portion of the Wedge point of the Wall 13 connected to the member B is cut away at the point Where the rib C enters the channel 13 as shown in Fig 9, to prevent \vedging of the angle part of the Wall B between the side of the disk D and the con; verging pitch of the rib G as'sbotvn in Fig. l. Coimected to the vertical side of the dish C clutch members are provided for the urpose of connecting with the driven memor D opposite to them. Secured to the snafu A and contacting With the side of the disk C a collar 'A is provided acting to maintain the end of the sleeve C in enna: nent contact with the shoulder A, i'ornied by the decreased diameter of the enlarged ortion A of the shaftA as shown in Fig". 1. K The policy I) re )resents the driven meniberiuid is provide with clutch members DC and is adapted to be moved axially into 0 native connection with the opposing c utch member G5 on the dish C of the member Cl In the drawings means to move the member D into and out of connection with the member C is omitted-as it is obvious that any of the Well known means used for that urpose may be'applied. Having here inbe ore referred to the functions of the inwardly and outwardly turned flanges B" and F connected to the members B andfl, it will.

beobserved by referring to Fig. 1 that in the above described operation the member ii is firmly secured to the periphery of the disk C and its inwardly turned flange F contacts with the entire circumference of the 'memberB. AS-SllOWI1 in Fig. l, the con tracting movement of the members B- and C.

would be obstructed by the air inclosed be tween the side of the disk C and the flange l connected to the member B. To obviate contingbncy portions of the edge of the inwardly turned flange B contacting with the concaved surface of the member F, is cutaway at H as shown in Fig; :2, permitting the air to How freely from one side of the flan e to the other. 7

Tie cylindrical inclosure F surroimding and inclosing the spiral rib C and contact- "ing members G a.inl-l3-,'is mounted on the periphery of the disk and firmly secure-ll thereon by the tap bolts F its opposite end bein turn-ed inwardly at right angles with its e ge F Fig. 1 contacting with the convex surface of the member li and adapted grit insuring clean luln'ication and to limit the movement of? the members B and t} in the separating direction to the position shown in Fig. 1.

Now assume the shaft A to be revolving in the directionindicated by the arrow in Fig.5. 1 and the members 13 and ilrevolving with shaft A. When the driven member D is moved into connection with the member (l their respective clutch members D and will contact and the inertia of the driven member I), will tenu jiorarily hold the men; ber C from rotation, and as the menil not revolubie on the shaft A. it wi autoiuz'itically moved axially in the Sp ll It? into cushioi'iing resistance to the ri'ztaruingforce of inertia of the d riven member D. This retarding force will be impinged upon the air inclosed in the channel and will he cushioned onits compressibility and decreasing volume until the resistance of said retar-ding force is neutralized and nearly uniform motion is transmitted. to the driven member D when ovving to the continued escape of the air through the' air passage ii the member it will continue to move it .e l. the contacting member 33 connected to the member l3, and the contacting members {I connected to the member C contact and rotate the i'nen'ibers D, and (l, in unison with the shaft A a r shown in l the cooperating menr bers B and C; are always in ope 'ative connection, and to return tbem'to their mail or 'irecushi'oning position, after the driven member D has been disconnected from the member C the differential speed appliance shown in i; provided, both ends of aivay shown at E and disks E" and E respectively, vthe greater E" of which contacts with the member l, and the one of least (iameter E contacting with the member B. A hole 10" indicated by dotted lines in Fig (1 is bored longitudinally through the center of the roller I), and

through the ends of the'frame E and a bolt E is inserted therethrough and secured therein as shown in Fig. l.

.shaftv A.

As before stated the member 13, moves longitudinally in splines, within fixed limits, on the shaft A and is prevented by said splines to move in the rotating direction. The member C is fixed longitudinally but rotates freely within fixed limits on said The driven member D being a loose pulley. is adapted to be connected and disconnected to and from the member C. When the driven member I) has been disconnccted from the member the members C and B must be restored to their precushioning position as shown in Fig. 1, to be prepared for the next connection, and to do this, greater speed must be transmitted to the member C than to the member B, and the diameter of that portion of. the roller I) which is applied to the member C being greater than that applied to the member B a'greater velocity wi 1 be transmitted to the member C than to the member B and when 3 the roller E is forced 'into frictional contact with the members B and C, the spiral rib C by reason of the contact of the side of the ribagainst the wall B will move the member B axially back into its set or precushioning position as shown in Fig. 1.

()n the periphery of the member B, a band 0 is mounted and secured thereon by splines 0 set in grooves cut outwardly from the concaved surface of the said band 0, and, in grooves 0, cut inwardly from the convex surface or the member B. This band t.) serves the purpose of equalizing the cirtailmference of the members B and C, to the end thatthe disks l) and E may transmit greater velocityto the revoluble member C, than longitudinally moving member B.

Should it be deemed necessary to change the location of the contacting members 0 and B. connected to the members B and G or to reinforce them, substitutes may be constructed onthe adjacent end of the cylindrical member B, and the band 0, and their operation would be similar to the means herein shown in the drawings.

I claim and desire. to obtain by Letters Patent the following 1. A pneumatic clutch composed of :1 revoluble shaft, operatively connected rotatable members mounted thereon, one being axially movable, said members ]omtly form- 'ing with said shaft 21 continuousspiral comressor and air inelosure, means for so moving said members as to contract the length of the air channel, and thus cause the. air to be compressed, a driven member, and means for rotating the driven member.

2. A pneumatic clutch comprising a revoluble shaft, operatively connected rotatable members mounted thereon, one being axially movable, said members jointly forming with said shaft a continuous spiral compressor and airinclosure, said shaft having a diametrically enlarged portion cotiperat ing with said air inclosure to imprison air oluble shaft, ope 'atively connected rotatable members mounted thereon, one being axially movable, said members jointly forming with said shaft a continuous spiral compressor and air inclosure," a driven member. said axially movable member mounted 'on said shaft having grooves cut longitudinally therein registering with splines connected to said shaft acting with the rotatable member to transmit motion to said driven member.

A pneuinaticclutch composed of a revoluble shaft, operatively connected rotatable members mounted thereon, one be ing axially movable, said members jointly forming with said shaft a continuous spiral compressor and air inclosure, said axially movable member mounted on an enlarged portion of said shaft and having a spiral channel cut outwardly from its bearing thereon acting to circumscribe'air therein.

6. A pneumatic clutch composed of a revoluble shaft, operatively connected rotatable members mounted thereon, one being axially movable, said members jointly forming a continuous spiral compressor and an air inclosing channel, and a filling inserted in said channel forming an end thereto and located at a' point terminating the cushioning distance of said members and acting to. circumscribe said air.

7. A pneumatic clutch composed of a revoluble shaft, cperatively connected rotatable members mounted thereon, one being axially movable, said members jointly formmg'with sa d shaft a continuous spiral compressor and air inclosing channel, said channel having a continuous spiral wall projecting inwardly dividing each circuit. and with said shaft acting to segregate said air in a continuous spiral direction and resist its. pressure. 8. pneumatic clutch composed of :1 revoluble shaft, operatively connected rotatable members mounted thereon, one being axially movable, said members jointly forming with said shaft a. continuous spiral compressor and air inclosing channel, said channel hav ing an orifice leadin out; therefrom for the egress and ingress 0 air and an ad ustable bolt intersecting said orifice to control the vohnne of air pressing therethrough.

i an

season 9. A pneumatic clutch composed of a revoluble shaft, operatively connected rotatable members mounted thereon, one being axially movable, said members jointly forming with said shaft a continuous spiral compressor and air inclosure, said shaft having an enlarged portion, said axially movable member mounted thereon, a rotatable member, a less enlarged portion on said shaft acting as a bearing therefor, and a collar against which said member braced longitudinally.

10. A pneumatic clutch composed of a revoluble shaft, operatively connected rotatable members mounted thereon, one being axially movable, said members jointly forming with said shaft a continuous spiral compressor and air inclosing channel, said rotatable member having a sleeve abutting against a shoulder on said shaft, an enlarged portion on said shaft, said sleeve being of equal peripheral circumference withsaid enlarged portion, upon which said axially movable member is mounted and acting as a bearing therefor in its movements.

11. A pneumatic'clutch composed of a rev oluble shaft, operatively connected rotatable members mounted thereon, one being axially movable, said members jointly forming a continuous spiral compressor and air inclosing channel, said rotatable member having a sleeve with a continuous spiral groove cut therein of even pitch and dimensions to re ister with and move conjointly with a spiral wall connected to said axially movable member.

12. A pneumatic clutch composed of a revoluble shaft, operatively connected rotatable members mounted thereon, one being axiallyL movable, said members jointly forming wit said shaft a continuous spiral compressor and air inclosure, said members having contacting abutments located in the path ctheir movement acting to arrest their independent motion, and splines operatively connecting said axially movable member to said shaf 13. A pneumatic clutch composed of a revoluhle shaft, operatively connected rotatable members mounted thereon, one being axially movable, said members jointly forming with said shaft a. continuous spiral com ressor and air inclosure, having an adjustab e passage for the escape of air, which air acts to cushion the resistance impinged on its compressibility and decreasing volume.

14.. A pneumatic clutch composed of a revoluble shaft, operatively connectedrotatablc members mounted thereon, one being axially movable, said members jointly forming with said shaft a continuous spiral compressor and airinclosure, one of said members having a continuous spiral. rib and another a continuous spiral channel.

A pneumatic clutch composed of a revoluble shaft, operatively connected rotatable members mounted thereon, one being axially movable, said members jointly forming with said shaft a continuous spiral compressor and air inclosure, and means connected to said shaft to prevent rotary and permit longitudinal movement of one member and means to permit rotary and prevent longitudinal movement of another member, said first means acting when contraction is arrested to revolve said operatively connected members in unison with said shaft.

16. A pneumatic clutch composed of a revoluble shaft, operatively connected rotatable members mounted thereon, one being axially movable, said members jointly forming with said shaft a continuous spiral compressor and air inclosure, one of said members having a disk with a cylindrical shield mounted thereon and inclosing an outwardly turned flange connected to another of said members acting to shield their movable parts and limit their expansion.

17. A pneumatic clutch composed of a revoluble shaft, operatively connected rotatable members of equal peripheral circumferences mounted on said revoluble shaft, one being axially movable, said members jointly formmg with said shaft a continuous spiral c0m-' pressor and air inclosure, a lever and a roller mounted in said lever and having disks of unequal circumferences one'near each end 0 crating when applied to the periphery 0' said operatively connected members to transmit greater velocit to said rotatable member than to the axial y movable member acting to move said axially movable member into its expanded position.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES C. GARRETT.

Witnesses. I

E. P. LA GAY, E, VAN ZANDT. 

